A cross-country journey brought former Marine Justin Kuhel to Amarillo on Saturday.

Kuhel is halfway through with his March Across America, a 2,752-mile trek that’s raised $35,000 for wounded veterans so far.

“I think it’s important for veterans to help each other,” said Kuhel, 26-year-old native of Columbus, Ohio.

He began his march in May at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and plans to end at Camp Pendleton, Calif., in October.

This isn’t the first time Kuhel has marched for veterans; he raised $13,000 for Wounded Warrior Project after a 400-mile trek, ending in Arlington National Cemetery in 2012.

“That was 400 miles, and it was such a successful positive experience. It was really a great time in my life and I wanted to kind of duplicate it in a little bit larger scale,” Kuhel said.

Kuhel said he didn’t know what faced wounded veterans when they returned home until he watched a documentary about a Marine he knew while deployed in Afghanistan, and that inspired him to start his first walk.

“I was on patrol, I remember when he got shot,” Kuhel said. “It (the documentary ‘Hell and Back Again’) was kind of about the recovery process and everything that goes into it and I never really realized what these guys go through when they’re coming back because it’s just so prevalent … there are so many guys that are hurt you don’t really think about.”

Kuhel has met many people who have shown great generosity and support during his march.

“It’s an outlet for people to show their respect for veterans,” Kuhel said.

Kuhel receives the occasional visitor during his walk, which consist of 10 to 11 miles a day, including a former Marine from Amarillo that joined him for an 8-mile walk Saturday just outside Panhandle.

He has walked with his father and cousin, and will be welcoming his brother-in-law during his two-day rest in Amarillo.

“This is the first time I’ve taken a two-day rest since Nashville,” Kuhel said.

A family member or friend always goes ahead of him in a van bearing the March Across America logo, with food and water, prepared to find a hotel to stay the night.

Kuhel parted with friend Denny Reeder, who drove the van for three weeks, Saturday in Amarillo.

“I thought this would be a life-changing event, (but) not this much of a life-changing event,” Reeder said.

Reeder said that meeting people who were willing to give all the money they had to the cause was one of the best parts.

“It restores your opinion of Americans.” Reeder said. “You hear about bad news and a dim view of Americans. It’s totally inaccurate, Americans love one another, care for one another, and I think what he’s doing resonates with a lot of people.”

Kuhel goal is to raise $100,000 to split between The Headstrong Project and Help Our Military Heroes.

The Headstrong Project provides free mental health care for veterans, and Help Our Military Heroes provides modified wheelchair-accessible vans for those injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Those interested in donating can do so at marchacrossamerica.org.

After his rest, Kuhel will began walking through Amarillo on Tuesday.

March Across America

■ Distance: 2,752 miles

■ Organizations benefitting: The Headstrong Project and Help Our Military Heroes